Can I Bring My Medication to Japan?
Japan regulates medication imports under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, the Stimulants Control Act and the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. As of September 2026, every drug falls into one of four groups: (1) Cannot be imported — stimulants (amphetamine, methamphetamine, including Adderall) and cannabis plant material cannot enter Japan for any purpose, even with a prescription. (2) Advance permit required — narcotics (for example codeine above 1%, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl) and stimulants' raw materials (for example lisdexamfetamine/Vyvanse) need a permit from the Regional Narcotics Control Office covering your arrival airport, applied for at least 14 days before travel. (3) Psychotropics — methylphenidate, zolpidem, benzodiazepines and similar drugs need no permit up to a per-drug total amount; above it, carry a doctor's certificate. (4) General medicines — without a Yunyu Kakunin-sho you may bring up to a 1-month supply of prescription drugs and up to a 2-month supply of OTC drugs; larger amounts need a Yunyu Kakunin-sho, applied for online. If you are unsure about a specific medication, check it with the TravelSafe Japan Medication Checker and confirm on the official pages linked below.
Substances You Cannot Bring
The Narcotics Control Department (NCD) lists substances that no traveler may import, even as prescribed medicine. Possession can result in arrest and prosecution. There is no medical exemption for these:
- Amphetamine / Methamphetamine (e.g., Adderall, Dexedrine, Desoxyn) — classified as Stimulants (覚醒剤) under the Stimulants Control Act. The NCD states amphetamine cannot be imported into Japan, even for treatment purposes.
- CannabisCannabis plant material (leaf, flower) is on the NCD prohibited list. THC is controlled as a Narcotic, so THC-containing products, including CBD products with THC, are treated as narcotics. Japan does not recognize foreign medical-cannabis authorizations or US state-level legalization.
- MDMA / EcstasyClassified as a Narcotic (麻薬) on the NCD Controlled Substances List (not a designated drug). MHLW allows narcotics to be imported only as prescribed medicine for a specific patient with an advance permit, so MDMA has no route in.
- Heroin, opium powder and methaqualoneAlso on the NCD list of substances travelers cannot import.
Prescription Medications That Need a Permit or Certificate
Japan uses three separate procedures, and they are easy to confuse:
1. Narcotics import permit / stimulants' raw material permission — issued by the Regional Narcotics Control Office (地方厚生局麻薬取締部) that covers your arrival airport. Send the application form, a medical certificate from your prescribing doctor (issued within 3 months) and photos of the medicine packaging by email, fax or mail at least 14 days before travel. 2. Doctor's certificate for psychotropics — no government permit is issued; you simply carry the certificate when you bring more than the per-drug total amount. 3. Yunyu Kakunin-sho (輸入確認証, formerly called 薬監証明 / Yakkan Shoumei) — an MHLW import confirmation for ordinary medicines above the personal-use quantities, applied for online at impconf.mhlw.go.jp.
Medications that need one of these include:
- Narcotics (Narcotics import permit): morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl patches, hydrocodone, and codeine or dihydrocodeine preparations above 1% concentration. Preparations with 1% or less codeine or dihydrocodeine are excluded from narcotics control.
- Stimulants' raw materials (advance permission): lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse) and pseudoephedrine or ephedrine products above 10% concentration. At 10% or less, pseudoephedrine is excluded and normal quantity limits apply.
- Psychotropics (doctor's certificate above the total amount): per-drug totals include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) 2.16 g, diazepam 1.2 g, alprazolam 72 mg, lorazepam 90 mg, clonazepam 180 mg, zolpidem 300 mg, triazolam 15 mg. Injectable psychotropics always need the certificate.
- Self-injection prescription drugs (Yunyu Kakunin-sho above 1 month): insulin and epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPen) in pre-filled syringes or self-injection kits can be brought up to a 1-month supply without any application.
- Any ordinary medicine above the personal-use amounts (Yunyu Kakunin-sho): more than a 1-month supply of prescription drugs, more than a 2-month supply of OTC drugs, or more than 24 of an external-use item.
Over-the-Counter Medications: What You Can Bring
Most common OTC medications are not controlled substances in Japan. Without a Yunyu Kakunin-sho you can bring up to a two-month supply of each OTC product (a one-month supply if it is a prescription product). No permit is needed for these within those limits:
- Pain relieversIbuprofen (Advil, Nurofen), acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol, Panadol), aspirin
- AntihistaminesCetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Digestive aidsOmeprazole (Prilosec), loperamide (Imodium), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
- Cold medicationsDextromethorphan-based cough syrups, throat lozenges, saline nasal sprays — check combination products for codeine (above 1%) or pseudoephedrine (above 10%)
- Topical treatmentsHydrocortisone cream, antifungal creams, antibiotic ointments — up to 24 of each item
Common Brand Name Reference Table
Many travelers know their medication by brand name, not active ingredient. Here is a quick reference for popular US/UK brands and their Japan import status as of September 2026:
- Adderall (amphetamine) — CANNOT BE IMPORTED. The NCD names Adderall specifically. Do not bring.
- Vyvanse / Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine) — PERMIT REQUIRED. Stimulants' raw material; apply to the Regional Narcotics Control Office at least 14 days before travel.
- Ritalin / Concerta (methylphenidate) — PSYCHOTROPIC. No permit up to 2.16 g total; above that, carry a doctor's certificate.
- Tylenol (acetaminophen) — ALLOWED. Up to a 2-month OTC supply.
- Advil / Motrin (ibuprofen) — ALLOWED. Up to a 2-month OTC supply.
- Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) — CHECK CONCENTRATION. At 10% or less, normal quantity limits apply; above 10%, advance permission is required. Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) does not appear on the NCD Controlled Substances List.
- NyQuil (multiple active ingredients) — CHECK LABEL. Some formulations contain pseudoephedrine or other controlled ingredients; check each one.
- Xanax (alprazolam) — PSYCHOTROPIC. No permit up to 72 mg total; above that, carry a doctor's certificate.
- EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) — ALLOWED up to a 1-month supply as a self-injection drug; more needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho.
- Insulin (pre-filled pens / self-injection) — ALLOWED up to a 1-month supply; more needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho, applied for online.
How to Check Your Medication: Use the TravelSafe Japan Checker
Not sure how your specific medication is classified? The TravelSafe Japan Medication Checker lets you search by medicine or active ingredient name. The tool cross-references 30 compounds against the MHLW and Narcotics Control Department rules and shows a result — allowed, allowed with conditions, permit required, or cannot be imported — together with the condition that decides it. It is a reference, not a legal ruling: confirm controlled medicines on the official NCD and MHLW pages before you travel.
Check your medication with the Medication Import Checker before you pack. It takes about 10 seconds and shows which procedure, if any, applies.
One caveat if Japan is not your only stop: these rules are Japan-specific. Clearing Japanese customs tells you nothing about what the next country permits, and a prescription that passes at Haneda may need separate paperwork elsewhere. If you are pairing Japan with another country in the region, see Adding China to Your Japan Trip for how the entry and routing rules differ.
Sources
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Bringing medicines for personal use into Japan1-month prescription / 2-month OTC / 1-month self-injection / 24 external-use items without paperwork
- Narcotics Control Department — Application guidance for travelersStimulants banned; narcotics permit 14+ days ahead; psychotropics over the limit need a doctor’s certificate
- Narcotics Control Department — Controlled substances listCodeine ≤1% and pseudoephedrine ≤10% exclusions; lisdexamfetamine as a stimulant raw material
- Narcotics Control Department — Psychotropic total-amount limitsPer-drug limits, e.g. diazepam 1.2 g, zolpidem 300 mg, methylphenidate 2.16 g
- MHLW — Online application for Import Confirmation (Yunyu Kakunin-sho)How to apply when you exceed the personal-use quantities
Sources checked: September 24, 2026
Researched and fact-checked by the TravelSafe Japan team against the sources above. AI tools helped with drafting; every rule, number and date was checked by an editor. General information, not legal or medical advice. Spotted an error? Tell us · How we verify